Golf Cup Guard

ABSTRACT

A golf cup guard for placement on a golf cup. The body portion is conical and shaped to prevent material from entering a golf cup. There is a handle to assist in placement and removal of the golf cup guard. The golf cup guard may prevent excess paint, fertilizer, sand, or other materials from falling into the golf cup.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. 61/796,211 entitled “Cup Cone”, filed 5 Nov. 2012.

BACKGROUND

Golf is a sport enjoyed worldwide. It is played on golf courses withvarious terrain features. In general, the object of golf is to use golfclubs to strike a golf ball into a golf hole in as few strokes aspossible. The golf hole is typically on a golf green and is defined bythe placement of a hole in the ground. Within this hole is a golf cup,often made of metal, which helps the golf hole maintain shape andintegrity. At the bottom of the hole may rest a putting cup having aferrule socket which may fit a complimentary ferrule at the bottom of aflag stick.

In accordance with the rules of golf, the golf cup sits a fixed distancebelow the surface of the golf green. Thus, there is a portion of soilbetween the upper surface of the golf cup and the surface of the green.Since soil is dark, the golf hole may be difficult to see from adistance. A common solution to this problem is to paint the soil,typically using white paint. In addition, many materials may be appliedto the golf green's surface, for example sand, fertilizer.

A common problem in the art occurs when unwanted materials such aspaint, sand, or fertilizer fall into the cup.

SUMMARY

A golf cup guard is described. The golf cup guard is configured toprevent materials from entering the golf cup. The golf cup guard mayrest on the golf cup and has a handle for easy placement and removal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the golf cup guard.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the golf cup guard,illustrating placement on a golf cup.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the golf cup guard.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of the golf cup guard.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of the golf cup guard.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the handle of the golfcup guard.

FIG. 7 a is a bottom view of an embodiment of the handle of the golf cupguard.

FIG. 7 b is a side view of an embodiment of the handle of the golf cupguard.

FIG. 8 is a top view of an embodiment of the handle of the golf cupguard.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the golf cup guard in agolf hole.

FIG. 10 a is a perspective view of an embodiment of the golf cup guardin a golf hole.

FIG. 10 b is a perspective view of an embodiment of the golf cup guardin a golf hole.

FIG. 10 c is a perspective view of an embodiment of the golf cup guardin a golf hole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Golf is a sport enjoyed worldwide. It is played on golf courses withvarious terrain features. In general, the object of golf is to use golfclubs to strike a golf ball into a golf hole in as few strokes aspossible. The golf hole is typically on a golf green and is defined bythe placement of a hole in the ground. Within this hole is a golf cup,often made of metal, which helps the golf hole maintain shape andintegrity.

In accordance with the rules of golf published by the United States GolfAssociation (USGA), the golf hole must be 4.25 inches (108 mm) indiameter and at least 4 inches (101.6 mm) deep. If a golf cup (orlining) is used, it must be at least one inch (25.4 mm) below theputting green surface.

This requirement that the golf cup sit at least one inch below theputting surface can make the hole difficult to visualize from adistance. A common solution to this problem is to paint the soil betweenthe putting surface and the golf cup white. This gives the appearancethat the golf cup extends up towards the surface. This is especiallyhelpful when trying to visualize the hole on television, for exampleduring the broadcasting of a golf tournament.

A variety of painting methods may be utilized, including but not limitedto spray painting, brush painting, roller painting, etc. A commonproblem in the art occurs when the paint used to paint the golf cup endsup in the cup itself. This is possible, for example, if paint drips intothe cup or if there is over-spray from a spray paint can. If this paintdoes not dry prior to the hole being used, the excess paint may adhereto other surfaces that contact the paint, for example a golfer's hand orgolf ball.

Other unwanted materials may fall into the cup. Examples of thesematerials include materials applied to the golf green's surface orsurrounding surfaces. Common examples include, but are not limited to,paint, spray-paint, sand, dirt, topdressing, fertilizer, pesticide, dye,or chemicals applied to grass. The golf cup guard prevents unwantedmaterials from entering the cup.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates anembodiment of a golf cup guard 1. The golf cup guard has a conical(cone-shaped) body 10 having an outer surface 12 and an inner surface14. The conical body is defined by the diameter of the upper rim 16, thediameter of the lower rim 18, and the length of the body along a centralvertical axis. In general, the diameter of the upper rim 16 is greaterthan the diameter of the lower rim 18. The lower rim 18 has an innersurface 20 (not shown) having threads 22 (not shown). A handle 30 isattached to the lower rim 18. The handle 30 has a top surface 32 and abody 34 that is cylindrical. A lower portion of the handle 36 hasthreads 38 (not shown). These threads are complimentary to threads 22 onthe inner surface of the lower rim 18. The handle 30 may screw into (andunscrew from) the lower rim inner surface 20. The handle has a bottomsurface 40. The golf cup guard 1 rests on a cylindrical golf cup 50inside a golf hole 70 cut into a putting green 60. The cylindrical golfcup 50 may further comprise a putting cup 52 having a ferrule socket 54.

The screw-thread attachment mechanism is one embodiment of the golf cupguard 1. Other possible attachments include a snap-in assembly, magneticattachment, or adhesive attachment. Additionally, the golf cup guard 1,including the handle, 30 may comprise one contiguous unit. The handle 30may be offset. The handle 30 may comprise a ring structure attached tothe conical body 10 or attached to the upper rim 16. The handle 30 maycomprise an O-ring structure with an outer diameter not exceeding theouter diameter of the upper rim 16 and an inner diameter such that theO-ring provides an overhang structure to the top of the golf cup guard1.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a golf cup guard 1 deployed above acylindrical golf cup 50 in a golf hole 70 on a golf green 60. Materials80 are shown during an application process as the golf cup guard 1prevents the materials 80 from entering the golf cup 70. The golf cupguard is sized such that the diameter of the upper rim 16 is greaterthan the inner diameter of the cylindrical golf cup 50. A user may graspthe handle 30 when placing and/or removing the golf cup guard 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a golf cup guard 1. Thehandle 30 has a circular top surface 32. The handle body 34 has anX-shaped cross-section. This cross-sectional shape may facilitategrasping.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of a golf cup guard 1. The golfcup guard 1 has a conical body 10. The inner surface 14 and upper rim 16of the conical body 10 are visible. The top surface 32 of the handle 30is visible.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of a golf cup guard 1. A lowerportion 36 of the handle 30 is visible below the outer surface 12 of theconical body 10.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a handle 30. The handle30 has a top surface 32 and a body 34 with an X-shaped cross-section. Alower portion of the handle 36 has a snap-in mechanism 42 for attachingto the golf cup guard 1. The snap-in mechanism 42 may have a snap-in tip44 and a cylindrical spacer 46 attached to the lower portion 36 of thehandle 30. The handle 30 may snap into the lower rim inner surface 20.One mechanism to snap into place is a one-time locking mechanism.

The one-time locking mechanism may rely on the lower rim inner surface20 having a circular cross-section with fixed diameter. Thus, if thesnap-in tip 44 having a slightly larger maximum diameter is pressedthrough the fixed diameter of the lower rim inner surface 20, bothpieces may deform slightly. If pressed far enough, the snap-in tip 44will be fully through the circular cross-section of the inner surface20. In this configuration, the cylindrical spacer 46 may rest within thefixed diameter of the lower rim inner surface 20. Further insertion isprevented by the larger diameter of the handle body 34.

FIG. 7 a is a bottom view of an embodiment of a handle 30 having abottom surface 40. The handle 30 has a snap-in mechanism 42, including asnap-in tip 44 and a cylindrical spacer 46.

FIG. 7 b is a side view of an embodiment of a handle 30 having a topsurface 32, an X-shaped body 34, and bottom surface 40. The handle 30may have a lower portion 36 which includes snap-in mechanism 42, asnap-in tip 44 and a cylindrical spacer 46.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a handle 30 having a top surface 32.The top surface 32 is solid and circular.

FIG. 9A illustrates an embodiment of a golf cup guard 1 having a handle30 which is offset from the central axis. The handle 30 has a topsurface 32 and a jagged handle body 34.

FIG. 9B illustrates an embodiment of a golf cup guard 1 having a handle30 which is a ring structure attached to the upper rim 16 of the conicalbody 10.

FIG. 9C illustrates an embodiment of a golf cup guard 1 having a handle30 which is an O-ring structure with an outer diameter not exceeding theouter diameter of the upper rim 16 and an inner diameter such that theO-ring provides an overhang structure to the top of the golf cup guard1. As shown in FIG. 9C, the golf cup guard 1 has two overhangingstructures. The first is the upper rim 16 configured to overhang the topof a golf cup 50 such that the golf cup guard may rest on the golf cup50. The second overhang is the O-ring structure handle 30 whichoverhangs a portion of the inner surface 14 of the conical body 10.Thus, a user may grasp this second overhang when deploying or removingthe golf cup guard 1.

A golf cup guard 1 may from any suitable material or materials. Forexample, the golf cup guard 1 made of plastic, metal, wood, or any othersuitable material or combination of materials. Suitable plasticmaterials include nylon and polypropylene. Suitable metal materialsinclude aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and titanium. If the userdesires a magnetic connection, ferrous materials such as iron.

The golf cup guard 1 may be manufactured via molding process. Examplesinclude plastic molding processes, metallic molding processes, oradditive manufacturing (3D-printing).

In one embodiment, the guard may have an axial length of 2.5 inches, anouter diameter of the upper rim 16 of 4.16 inches, an outer diameter ofthe lower rim 18 of 0.72 inches, and an inner diameter of the lower rim18 of 0.52 inches. The handle 30 may be 2.6 inches in total length. Thetop surface of the handle 32 may have a 1 inch diameter. The handle 30may attach to the conical body 10 at the inner surface 20 of the lowerrim 18. The handle 30 may attach via a screw-thread mechanism.Specifically, threads 22 on the inner surface 20 of the lower rim 18engage with complimentary threads 38 on the lower portion 36 of thehandle. In an alternative embodiment, a snap-in mechanism 42 on the onthe lower portion 36 of the handle engages with a complimentary snap-inmechanism on the inner surface 20 of the lower rim 18. The innerdiameter of the lower rim of the conical body may be 0.52 inches. Thesnap-in tip 44 may be conical, having a lower rim diameter of 0.33inches and an upper rim diameter of 0.64 inches. The snap-in mechanism42 may also include a cylindrical spacer 46 having a diameter similar tothe lower rim of conical body, for example 0.52 inches. Above thesnap-in mechanism 42, the handle body 34 may taper outward and have aminimum diameter of 0.64 inches.

In an alternative embodiment, the handle may be configured to invert,such that it sits upside down on the cup surface. This may be useful forguarding the cup from fertilizer or other materials. User has to bendover less. In such a configuration, the handle may be removable (forexample if magnetic) or may be placed underneath the conical body 10.

A user may grasp the golf cup guard and place it inside a golf hold ontop of the golf cup. The user may then apply materials nearby. Exampleapplications include painting the soil above the golf cup and applyingmaterials to the green or surrounding surfaces. Common example materialsinclude, but are not limited to, paint, spray-paint, sand, dirt,topdressing, fertilizer, pesticide, dye, or chemicals applied to grass.The golf cup guard prevents unwanted materials from entering the cup.The user may then grasp the golf cup guard and remove it from the hole.The golf cup guard may contain excess material that it prevented fromentering the cup. The user may discard these excess materials in anappropriate receptacle or space.

I claim:
 1. A golf cup guard comprising: a conical body portion havingan inner surface and an outer surface, configured to prevent materialfrom entering a golf cup; an upper rim of the conical body portion; alower rim of the conical body portion configured for attachment with ahandle.
 2. The golf cup guard of claim 1, wherein the lower rim of theconical body portion is configured for attachment with the handle in ascrew-thread fashion.
 3. The golf cup guard of claim 1, wherein thelower rim of the conical body portion is configured for attachment withthe handle in snap-in fashion.
 4. The golf cup guard of claim 1, whereinthe material it prevents from entering the cup include at least one ofpaint, sand, dirt, topdressing, fertilizer, pesticide, dye, or chemicalsapplied to grass.
 5. The golf cup guard of claim 1, wherein the conicalbody portion is 2.5 inches tall and the upper rim of the conical bodyportion has an outer diameter of 4.16 inches.
 6. The golf cup guard ofclaim 1, wherein the golf cup guard is deployed in a restingconfiguration such that the golf cup guard rests on the golf cup.
 7. Thegolf cup guard of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a ring structureattached to the upper rim of the conical body portion.
 8. The golf cupguard of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises an O-ring structureattached to the upper rim of the conical body portion.
 9. A golf cupguard comprising: a body portion configured to rest on a golf cup; anupper rim of the body portion having an outer diameter greater than theinner diameter of a golf cup; a lower body portion configured forattachment with a handle.
 10. The golf cup guard of claim 9, wherein thelower body portion and the handle are threaded in a complimentaryfashion for screw-thread engagement.
 11. The golf cup guard of claim 9,wherein the lower body portion and the handle engage in a snap-infashion.
 12. The golf cup guard of claim 9, wherein the golf cup guardis configured to prevent material from entering the golf cup.
 13. Thegolf cup guard of claim 12, wherein the material it prevents fromentering the cup include at least one of paint, sand, dirt, topdressing,fertilizer, pesticide, dye, or chemicals applied to grass.
 14. The golfcup guard of claim 9, wherein body portion is conical.
 15. The golf cupguard of claim 14, wherein the body portion is 2.5 inches tall and theupper rim of the body portion has an outer diameter of 4.16 inches. 16.The golf cup guard of claim 9, wherein the golf cup guard is deployed ina resting configuration such that the golf cup guard rests on the golfcup.
 17. A method to prevent material from entering a golf cupcomprising: placing a golf cup guard over the golf cup; applyingmaterial to a surface above the golf cup; removing the golf cup guardand any materials caught by the golf cup guard from the golf cup. 18.The method of claim 17, wherein the material it prevents from enteringthe cup include at least one of paint, spray-paint, sand, dirt,topdressing, fertilizer, pesticide, dye, or chemicals applied to grass.19. The method of claim 17, wherein the golf cup guard is conical. 20.The method of claim 17, wherein the material is paint applied to soilabove the golf cup and below a golf green.